"KIND CLASSES" - HELP STOP SCHOOL BULLYING!

(05/30/2008)

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SMILING CHILD View

Friday May 30, 2008 7:00

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Friday May 30, 2008 7:00

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kindclasses:

The "KIND CLASSES" graphic appeared first on your screen. "KIND CLASSES" uses a smiling child as its logo as I believe that every child deserves to smile. You may close this graphic but you can still view it or any other graphic at any time during the blog.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:01 kindclasses

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Friday May 30, 2008 7:01

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kindclasses:

Welcome to the "KIND CLASSES" LIVE BLOG! Thank you all for dropping by this evening! I will be online for the next hour - barring any technical problems as I have dial up service. If anyone has to drop out at any time, then you can return here and replay the blog after its end time.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:02 kindclasses

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DON'T LAUGH Play

Friday May 30, 2008 7:02

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kindclasses:

You may view this video or you may close it out and view it during or after the blog. We will continue the blog in a couple of minutes so that we give readers the opportunity to view the video if that is their choice.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:03 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

During this blog, I will provide you the opportunity to submit a few polls. You may choose to submit them or you may choose to just close them. If you do not wish to answer the poll when it first appears on the screen, you may answer it at any time during the blog. Poll results will show in real time. The results for more than one poll can display at a time.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:06 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

Are there any individuals online who may have been invited as "special guests" at this blog? If you are, if you could identify yourself then you could let the readers know your thoughts about school bullying!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:08 kindclasses

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ANTI BULLYING MESSAGES

Friday May 30, 2008 7:09 kindclasses

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I would like you to follow this link to read about how Nova Scotia student athletes are spreading an anti - bullying message. Wearing an anti bullying message on their jerseys allows this message to be spread by 40,000 students to thousands of fans. You will note that this pink anti - bullying crest was inspired by the Wear Pink campaign in September 2007 The students wore pink for a schoolmate who was ridiculed for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of the school year. His tormentors threatened him apparently because they associated the pink shirt with homosexuality. We featured this story extensively at "KIND CLASSES" This campaign took on a life of its own and led to similar demonstrations worldwide. The mention of the "Wear Pink" campaign inspired me to create our first poll of the evening.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:09 kindclasses

7:10	Do You Think Homosexual Students Experience School Bullying At The Same Rate Of Other Students? Yes they experience it at the same rate ( 0% ) No, I Think They Are Bullied More ( 100% ) No, I think They Are Bullied Less ( 0% ) Friday May 30, 2008 7:10

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kindclasses:

You may vote in this poll now or at any time during the blog or you may wish not to participate in it. The votes will display at the bottom of the screen as people vote in the poll

Friday May 30, 2008 7:12 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

At this link you will find three 30 second video clips. They are the top rated videos from a Safe And Caring Schools initiative in Manitoba. "The Pink Shirt" video was, I presume,created to tell the story behind the "Wear Pink" Campaign in September 2007 in Nova Scotia. Have a look at the three video clips!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:12 kindclasses

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THREE VIDEOS

Friday May 30, 2008 7:13 kindclasses

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EGALE CANADA

Friday May 30, 2008 7:13 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

You can read the results of a recently released survey on this issue through the EGALE CANADA link.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:14 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

Since we were talking about spreading bullying awareness messages, I am in the process of organizing "KIND CLASSES" buttons.The buttons won't be designed primarily for to promote "KIND CLASSES" - the group or the website - but rather our KIND CLASSES slogans as general anti - bullying messages. I am excited about the potential here especially if we could get them in the hands of groups and organizations. Buttons can be effective as they are are a cheap way for to spread a message. I soon will launch "KIND CLASSES" buttons on our website. I would be pleased to see this idea succeed on two fronts. I would like to spread as much awareness as possible. As well if this venture really became a success I could funnel funds into other initiatives for to fight school bullying. I don't want "KIND CLASSES" to just exist on paper. I really want this group and website to make a difference. I would appreciate hearing your ideas as to how we can work as a team to fight against school bullying.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:15 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

So does anyone have a.......

Friday May 30, 2008 7:16 kindclasses

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Friday May 30, 2008 7:16

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NOVA SCOTIA NEWS

Friday May 30, 2008 7:17 kindclasses

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We have talked about the anti - bullying campaign currently in effect in Nova Scotia where the sports teams wear anti - bullying slogans. We also know that the "Wear Pink" campaign of 2007 originated from Nova Scotia. Whatever anti- bullying campaigns take place in communities though, the fight against school bullying has to be a daily and ongoing one. I do not refer to Nova Scotia alone in this regard. Bullying is universal and ongoing and so must be the fight against it. Despite the best efforts of some Nova Scotia youth, we still had a huge conflict in a Cole Harbour School since that time. And even in today's news, we see this story. This story reminds us that anti - bullying campaigns must be forever expanding and always be current in our society.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:18 kindclasses

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This story reminds me of a couple of issues.The teacher claims that she asked for someone to get help but no one proceeded to follow that action. It reminds me again of the role of bystanders in school bullying. In this case the students who participated in the attack have been charged by the police. The father of the victim believes that the students will be suspended for the school year but their homework will be sent home to them. The father finds that action to be an objectionable one. I do not find that action to be an inappropriate one.Those who participate in violent and bullying actions have their own set of issues. I don't think letting them view the time at home as a holiday or to use it to interfere with their education helps anyone. Bullies need to make recompense and restitution but they also need intervention programs. A school board official sees no solution at the school level other than suspensions. Teachers can't recommend a student to a non - existent intervention program or even to one which wasn't mandatory if their parents were not in agreement for participation. So school boards and officials in the Departments of Education have to bring forward those programs.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:18 kindclasses

7:19	Do You Think Anti - Bullying Programs Or Campaigns Are Ever Effective? Yes, All The Time! ( 0% ) Yes, Some Of The Time! ( 100% ) No, Never! ( 0% ) Friday May 30, 2008 7:19

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CAMPAIGN AGAINST GAY BULLYING

Friday May 30, 2008 7:20 kindclasses

7:20	Do You Think Homosexual Students Experience School Bullying At The Same Rate Of Other Students? Yes they experience it at the same rate ( 0% ) No, I Think They Are Bullied More ( 100% ) No, I think They Are Bullied Less ( 0% ) Friday May 30, 2008 7:20

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kindclasses:

STONEWALL'S EDUCATION FOR ALL

Friday May 30, 2008 7:21 kindclasses

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FACEBOOK

Friday May 30, 2008 7:22 kindclasses

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Thjs link directs you to a recent announcement by Facebook to develop better ways to protect young people. The Texas Attorney General believes that their age verification technique is not an effective one. Facebook promises to work on this issue. At "KIND CLASSES" I posted about underage users. I tried to discover form Facebook how many underage users they discover online. They don't release that information - at least not to private individuals. "KIND CLASSES" also raised concerns about Facebook groups which seem to be created for the purpose of bullying. I invite everyone - who hasn't already - to check though groups titled - EVERYBODY HATES.... I found some groups there which seemed to be attacking one particular person. Facebook made an agreement with the New York Attorney General last October - to remove inapproriate material within 24 hours. I reported some EVERYBODY HATES.... groups which seemed to me to be objectionable. The groups in question were not removed within 24 hours. The groups were still there in recent days. I certainly considered them objectionable as they seemed to attack one person. I am not aware what exact guidelines Facebook uses to remove groups. Facebook may be making strides in protecting our children but there is still much to do to increase security.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:23 kindclasses

7:23	Have You Ever Observed Facebook Users Whom You Believe To Be Under The Age Limit - 13 Years Old? Yes, I 've See Them Many Times! ( 100% ) Yes, But Only A Few Times! ( 0% ) Yes, But Only Once! ( 0% ) No, I Have Never Observed Underage Users! ( 0% ) Friday May 30, 2008 7:23

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kindclasses:

At present we have three different polls which you can vote in at your leisure.
They will alternatively display in their turn
and you will see the results as the polls are voted in here.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:25 kindclasses

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BULLETPROOF VESTS

Friday May 30, 2008 7:27 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

This link makes me wonder exactly what is happening in our society!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:27 kindclasses

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"CHOKING GAME"

Friday May 30, 2008 7:28 kindclasses

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WAS THIS ASSAULT PART OF A "CHOKING GAME?" Last week a 15 year old Ontario boy was charged with three counts of assault for bullying a younger student over a period of 2 1/2 years. The offenses were serious assaults such as causing the student to fall down a flight of stairs and choking him into unconsciousness. I have sadly read about "choking and unconsciousness" in relation to students on more than one occasion during the past two weeks. I have been reading about the "Choking Game" which is widespread among students in the USA and in Canada I first heard about this horrific game in the I AM SAFE newsletter. I continued to research the topic on my own. The "Choking Game" can be done alone or done to another person. It consists of choking one's self or choking another person to the point of unconsciousness. You can see how bullies would use it against their victims. It is also startling to realize that students do it to themselves or to their friends to produce a "high!" 80,000 students are playing the "Choking Game' in Ontario. 50% of "Choking Games" are carried out at schools. 82 students died in the USA within the past decade from the "Choking Game" 74 students in Canada have been hospitalized within recent years because of the "Choking Game" A 12 year old Canadian boy died in 2005 from participating in the "Game" The average age for those who play the "Choking Game' is 13 Choking to experience an altered state is not a new phenomenon. You may hear about it sometimes in the news in a sexual connotation - particularly when it leads to death. Until recently I never would have dreamed that the "Choking Game" was being carried out on such a large scale among the student population. At this link, parents can read about signs that a student may be involved in the "Choking Game" Here is another link with more info on the "Choking Game!"

Friday May 30, 2008 7:29 kindclasses

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CHOKING GAMES

Friday May 30, 2008 7:29 kindclasses

7:31	Are You Aware Of The "Choking Game" Which Many Students Either Participate In Or Have Forced Upon Them? Yes, I Voluntarily Participated In It! ( 0% ) Yes, I Had It Forced Upon Me! ( 0% ) Yes, I Am Aware Of It! ( 50% ) No, I Never Heard Of It! ( 50% ) Friday May 30, 2008 7:31

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kindclasses:

We now have four polls running in which people can vote at their leisure!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:32 kindclasses

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Friday May 30, 2008 7:33

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kindclasses:

This graph shows the prevalence of school bus bullying! Remember in school bus bullying the captive and passive bus passengers are also victims in this scenario as well as the victim. Willing bystanders and indeed bullies themselves are all negatively impacted by school bus bullying!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:36 kindclasses

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Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation http://www.actsofkindness.org

Friday May 30, 2008 7:39 kindclasses

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kindclasses:

Anyone online is welcome at any time to give their input
on any of the issues which I have raised here this evening.

Friday May 30, 2008 7:43 kindclasses

7:55

[Comment From JULIAJULIA: ]

GOOD BLOG!

Friday May 30, 2008 7:55 JULIA

7:56

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Megan Meir Foundation

Friday May 30, 2008 7:56 kindclasses

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MEGAN'S PLEDGE

Friday May 30, 2008 7:56 kindclasses

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"KIND CLASSES" discussed the tragedy of Megan Meir at our group. Her mother now has started a foundation and there is also Megan's Pledge to commit not to bully with special emphasis on cyberbullying. Megan's mother says that students often thank her but she occasionally meets some criticism - those who criticize her because her daughter was on anti - depressants,etc. I must admit that I did raise concerns about her daughter being online while under the required age limit. You will read at the website that her daughter told her that many of her age were online. I have seen underage children at Facebook. We know that this is a reality which the social network sites are addressing at present. Parents though do have the responsibility to carefully monitor their children's online presence. Young students should only talk to friends or family online. Now Megan's mother though is trying to stop any other young person from being bullied online and I applaud that effort. A mother who lost a child in such a tragic fashion understands the need for prevention of any further hurt to any other child!

Friday May 30, 2008 8:08 kindclasses

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BULLIED TO DEATH Play

Friday May 30, 2008 8:10

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Friday May 30, 2008 8:11

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kindclasses:

We are now going to close out our "KIND CLASSES" LIVE BLOG!
I thank everyone who has dropped by!
I enjoyed the experience!
I hope you all had a positive experience as well!
I just have one more poll to run before we close out!

Friday May 30, 2008 8:14 kindclasses

8:14	Should We Ever Have Another "KIND CLASSES" LIVE BLOG? Yes, Next Month! ( 0% ) Yes, Every Two Months! ( 100% ) Yes, Every Six Months! ( 0% ) Yes, Once A Year! ( 0% ) No, Never Again! ( 0% ) Friday May 30, 2008 8:14